Glenfiddich 12 yr Solera Reseve

My father was given a bottle of this a year or so ago, and swore it was the best whisky he'd ever tasted. For his birthday I went on the Glenfiddich website, and got him a bottle of what I thought was the same - 12yr old, made in Solera barrels, but no sign of the word "Reserve" on the bottle... Father gratefully accepted the gift, but after tasting, said that "it's very very nice, but not quite the same". Me being worse than a novice when it comes to whisky, I thought I'd ask you fine forum users, can anyone shed any light on this matter? Or was his mind playing tricks when he couldn't see "Reserve" on the label?

[Jojo]

The Glenfiddich Solera Reserve is actually the Glenfiddich 15YO. It was launched around 2000 and called Glenfiddich 15YO Solera Reserve. Last year, the company went through a global packaging change and unfortunately the word "solera" did not translate in a lot of countries. Therefore, it is simply now known as Glenfiddich 15YO. The liquid is exactly the same, incorporating the "solera aging process" that uses used sherry casks, used bourbon casks & new oak casks to produce the fabulous flavors that your dad loved. The holidays are quickly approaching - a perfect gift for him!

I had the privilege of tasting "The Glenlivet" scotch line. Being a total novice, like most of the people there, I thought the aging was similar to bourbons. It isn't. A 15 year old is not a 12 year old plus 3 years. Each one is aged in different wood barrels which gives each a unique character. I actually thought the 12 year old was "flat", the 18 year old was nice but, the 15 year old was my favorite. The unfiltered "Nadura" was even better, so good in fact I shelled out $48 for a bottle which turns out to be a really good price for it.

Next time you see your father, be sure to look at the bottle and note what wood was used in the barrels. That, in addition the age, will help you find his favorite bottle next time.